I wrote this blog month 10 of my Race (aka over a year ago), but with two batches of new racers launching in just a few weeks, I thought I’d post it now! Pass it on to any future racers you know 🙂
I made some crazy packing decisions over the course of my World Race. Therefore, I have a few thoughts for you (future racers) on this whole subject of packing. Hopefully it won’t take long. Take ‘em or leave ‘em, here’s where 11 months on the field brought me and my duffel:
Thought #1: Make your own decisions.
I chose to ditch my pack. I also chose to buy a pair of [cute and pretty ridiculous] fringe boots in Mongolia. Don’t let someone else [fellow racer, packing blog, man at REI] tell you what you should or should not pack. You’re the one carrying the dang thing.
Thought #2: You don’t need that much toothpaste.
Or shampoo. Or face wash. Or stop the poop medication. The rest of the world has those things too. Don’t fret.
Thought #2a: You might be thinking “but I only use [insert brand here] special-cleansing-aloe-blackhead-scrub face wash!” Your body is gonna have to get used to a lot of new things on the race (including squatty potties and eating your weight in rice). It’s okay to let a new a face wash join the list. You’ll survive.
Thought #2b: Asia doesn’t believe in stick deodorant. Plan accordingly.
Thought #3: Don’t bring things you love. Also, bring things you love.
Of all of the clothing (tops and bottoms and outerwear) I brought on the race (19 items total), I ended the race with…6 of them. One v-neck, 2 pairs of Nike shorts, leggings, and a flannel and raincoat. Those were staple pieces for me, and I’m glad I had them. Everything else came and went, mostly without batting an eye.
You will want to buy fun new clothes in fun new countries. To make room for said new clothes, you will want to ditch un-fun old American clothes. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Don’t bring all your favorites.
At the same time, bring a few things that make you real happy. My favorite blue flannel made the cut, and 10 months and two intense elbow patches later, I’m still so thankful for it. I didn’t bring jeans but ended up buying some month 4, and a friend and I danced around debrief singing “we bought jeans!” It’s the little things, ya know?
Thought #4: Pick your priorities.
Especially during the second half of my race, my priorities included looking like a real person and being creative. Therefore I chose to keep clothes I feel good in and a set of acrylic paints.
My priorities never really included making sure my hair always looked good. Therefore I did not choose to bring a curling iron (or…a hairbrush). To each her own…
Thought #5: Let it be a team effort. (and then, see Thought #1)
Remember the great “you don’t need toothpaste for a year” thought? I had a minor breakdown the night before launch over that very thing. Nearly brought me to tears. (Well, not that on its own. But you get the point). I texted my dear friend and fellow WR alum Michelle, and she gave her wise advice: “Asia has toothpaste.” Phone a friend.
At the beginning and/or end of almost every month, I helped at least one squad mate purge and repack their stuff. I loved it. It was way fun for me. Let someone (but NOT everyone) help you. If you can’t decide between your light gray and dark gray v-necks (real life problems), take them to your teammate and let them reason it out with you. If your packing cube is stuffed to the brim, see how someone else packs theirs and learn their tricks. Even if you’re a packing ace, verbally processing why you don’t need two gray v-necks can be a good thing (example from experience).
But remember thought #1…at the end of the day, it’s still your stuff and your decision.
Thought #6: You’ll be fine.
Really. Truly. I promise. If you bring too much toothpaste. If you forget your extra pair of headphones. Whatever happens, YOU’RE ON THE WORLD RACE. Packing is not as big of a deal as it seems. And even in the moment when you realize you didn’t bring that mini clothesline and now you have a bucket of wet laundry and nowhere to put it, you’ll be fine. Improvisation is a beautiful thing. You’ve got bigger fish to fry.
If you’re now looking for a list of exactly what to pack…sorry, I don’t have that. Because I ended the race with 5 pairs of shoes and no skirts, which probably isn’t the best advice to give future racers. If you really are curious on what I packed, just email me. I’ll send you more info than you could ever care to know. Otherwise, let’s leave it here. You do you.
You’re going on an adventure!
